Sayedna Junaid Baghdadi

Sayedna Junaid Baghdadi
HIS POSITION IN THE SILSILA: Shaykh ala al-Itlaaq, Qutb al-Istihqaaq,
Mamba-e-Israar, Sultan-e-Tariqat, Sayyid at-Taaifa, Hadrat Shaykh
Junaid Baghdadi is the eleventh Imam and Shaykh ofthe Silsila Aaliyah
Qadiriyah Barakatiyah Ridawiyah Nooriyah. He is the Mureed and Khalifa
of Hadrat Sirri Saqti Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu.
BIRTH: He was born around the year 218 Hijri in Baghdad Shareef.
NAME: His name is Junaid-e-Baghdadi. He was known as Abul Qasim and he
was blessed with titles such as, Sayyidut Taaifa, Ta'oosul Ulama,
Qawareeri, Zuj'jaan and Lisaanul Qaum.
HIS CHILDHOOD: When he was seven years old, he went to Haramain
Sharifain in the company of Hadrat Sirri Saqti. When they reached the
Haram Shareef, four hundred Ulama were seated there, discussing
thetopic of Shukr (Gratefulness). All of the Ulama presented their
views during this sitting. Hadrat Sirri Saqti then turned to Hadrat
Junaid-e-Baghdadi and said, "O Junaid! You too should say something."
He lowered his sightfor a few moments, and then said, "Shukr
(gratefulness) is this,that you should not be disobedient through
whatever bounties Allah has blessed you with, and you should not use
it as a means of disobedience and causing distress." On hearing this,
all the Ulama said together,"O Coolness of our Eyes. Whateveryou have
said, is the truth and you are honest in your words, and we cannot say
better than what you have said." Hadrat Sirri Saqti said, "O My Dear
Son! From where did you learn such exemplary words?" Hadrat
Junaid-e-Baghdadi said,"This is through the blessing of your esteem
companionship." [Masaalik as-Saalikeen]
HIS EXCELLENCE: He was a great Aalim and Mufti. In his era, he was
ahead of all in wisdom and eloquence. From the beginning, right up to
the end of his life, he was loved by all. Everyone was pleased with
him as the leader. There is no person that can point even a finger at
the Maqaam of Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi. The only people who could not
see the station of Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi were those who wereblind
in faith. He was known as the voice of the people, but he always
called himself Abdul Masha'ikh (the servant of the Masters). Many of
the Ulama also called him Sultan al-Muhaqiqeen. He had reached very
high levels inShariat and Tariqat. Many great Shaykhs followed his
Silsila. He was the greatest Shaykh of his era. He spent time in the
khidmatof Hadrat Muhaasibi. Once someone asked Hadrat Sirri Saqti if
the Mureed can be more famous than the Peer and Hadrat Sirri Saqti
said, "Yes, it is possible.The perfect example is right before you. I
am the Peer of Junaid-e-Baghdadi, but he is more exalted than me."
HIS CHARACTER AND HABITS: Even though Hadrat Junaid-e- Baghdadi was
such a great Wali, he was very humble. He always showed great respect
to others, even to those who were not as exalted as him. Once he said
to his mureeds, "If only I knew that it was better to read two rakaats
of nafil than being with you, thenI would have not sat amongst you."
He kept fast for most of his life.
BUSINESS: Hadrat Junaid Baghdadiinitially did business, and used to
sell mirrors. His manner was, thathe used to enter his shop, and then
read four hundred rakaats of nafil salaah. This, he continue for many
years. He then left his shop, and sat in the khidmat of his
Peer-o-Murshid. He took a room in the house of his Peer andthen spent
his time their cleansing his heart. When he used to enter the state of
Muraqiba, he would remove the musalla from under him as he didnot wish
to concentrate on anything. He only engrossed himself in the love of
Allah and His Rasool. He spent forty years inMuraqiba (deep spiritual
meditation). For thirty years, he stood after Esha until Fajr and make
Zikrullah. He used to make his Fajr Salaah with the wudhu ofEsha. He
says, "For twenty years, Idid not miss the Takbeer-e-Oola (First
Takbeer of Namaaz in Jama'at), and if I thought of any worldly thing
during Namaaz, I would repeat my Salaah, and if I thought of Jannat or
the Hereafter in my Salaah, then I used to make Sajdah-e-Sahw."
HIS EXCELLENCE IN THE COURT OF THE PROPHET: A Buzurg narrates, that he
dreamt of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and Hadrat
Junaid-e- Baghdadi was also seated in the Mehfil of the Prophet. He
then saw that a person came and presented a query to the Prophet
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa
Sallam said,"Hand it over to Junaid. He will write the answer." The
person then said, "Ya Rasoolallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam May my
parents be sacrificed at your feet. How can it be given to Junaid in
your presence?" The Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said, "Just as
the Prophetsare proud of their entire Ummah, I am proud of Junaid."
[Khazinat al-Asfiyah, Vol.1 Page 86]
Once a Sayyid who lived in Jilan, left home with the intention of
Hajj. On his journey, he passed through Baghdad Shareef. He thus
presented himself in the Darbaar of Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi. Hadrat
asked him where he had come from. He saidthat he was from Jilan, and
was adescendant of Hadrat Ali. Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi then
said,"Your forefather Hadrat Ali used to draw two swords. One
againstthe Kufaar and Mushrikeen, and the other against his Nafs.
Which sword do you draw?" When the man heard this, he went into a
spiritual state and began to roll on the ground. He then said,"This is
my Hajj. Put me on to the path of Allah." Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi
said, "Your heart, is the special Haram of Allah, thus you should try
to the best of yourability no to allow any non-mahram to enter it."
[Kashf al-Mahjoob, Page 119]
HIS LECTURES: Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi spent his entire life, serving
the Deen of Allah and His Beloved Rasool. Once his Peer-o-Murshid,
Hadrat Sirri Saqti asked him to deliver a lecture, and he said that he
did not find it ethicalto lecture in the presence of his Peer. One
night, he dreamt of the Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam.
Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam commanded himto lecture. When
morning came, he went to his Peer and found that his Peer was already
awaiting his presence. As he entered the Khanqah, his Peer said, "We
have all been asking you to lecture. Now the Beloved Rasool SallAllaho
Alaihi wa Sallamhas given you the command to speak." He asked his Peer
how he had known of his dream, and he said, "Last night I made Deedar
ofAllah Subhaanahu Ta'aala and I heard a voice which said that the
Prophet had already commanded Junaid to lecture." He agreed to lecture
on condition, that there were not more than forty people in his
lectures. They agreed and he delivered his first lecture. During his
first lecture, Eighteen people passed away. He then stopped his
lecture and went back home. [Kashf al-Mahjoob, Page 201]
A SINCERE MUREED: Hadrat Junaid Baghdadi had numerous mureeds, but
there was one particular mureed, towards whom he paid special
attention. A few disciples were not pleased with this and asked him
why he gave preference to the mureed over others. Hadrat said that he
isthe most intelligent and wise amongst all of them, and it was for
this reason that he gave preference to him. Hadrat then said, "Let me
prove this to you." He gave a chicken and a knife to each mureed, and
asked them to sacrifice it where none would be able to see them. Each
of the mureeds found a very quite and secluded area, and sacrificed
the chicken. This one mureed, came back without slaughtering the
chicken. Hadrat asked why he did not slaughter the chicken, and
hesaid, "Huzoor! Where ever I went,I found the Qudrat of Allah present
there, and I knew that Heis All Seeing. It is for this reason that I
had no option but to return without success." Hadrat then said, "Now,
did you hear his answer. This is the reason due to which he is so dear
to me."
HIS TRUST IN ALLAH: Once a man presented him with five hundred
Ashrafis (coins). Hadrat asked if he had any other wealth with
theexception of the five hundred Ashrafis. The man replied that he
did. Hadrat said, "Will you ever need any more money in the future?"
He said, "Why not Huzoor. There is always a need for money." Hadrat
said, "Then you should keep these Ashrafis for yourself, for you are
more needy than I am, since I have nothing, and still, I have no need
for anything more. Even though you have wealth, you are still in need
of more. I would really appreciate it if you would please take back
this money, as I do not take from those who are in need themselves and
I believe that My Lord alone is Ghani and the rest of the world are
Faqeer."
HIS KARAAMATS: Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi says, "The greatest Karaamat
is to remain firm on the Shariat-e-Mustafa SallAllaho Alaihi wa
Sallam." There is no doubt, that Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi was very
firm on the Shariah, and his every action was the reflection of the
Sunnah of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam.
BEING AWARE OF HIS MUREEDS CONDITION: There was a mureed of Hadrat who
used to live in Basra. He once intended to commit a sin. The moment
this thought entered his heart, his entire face turned black. When
helooked in the mirror, he was amazed to see his condition. He was
very ashamed and stayed in doors. After three days, the blackness
disappeared and his face returned to its original colour. On the same
day, a persondelivered a letter to him, which was from His
Peer-o-Murshid, Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi. When he opened the letter,
he found the following written inside,"Keep your heart in control, and
remain respectfully as a servant (of Allah). For three days and three
nights, I had do to the job of a laundryman, so that I may wash away
the blackness of your face." [Masaalik as-Saalikeen]
A FIRE WORSHIPPER: Once a Majoosi (fire worshipper) put on a Zanaar (a
so-called sacred thread worn by fire worshippers),and then disguised
himself as a Muslim, by putting on the Arabian garb. He then presented
himself before Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi and said, "I have come to ask
the meaning of a Hadith Shareef, which says,"Itaqu bi firaasatil
Mo'min Fa In'nahu yanzuroo bi Nooril'laahi" (Fear of the sight of a
true believer, for he sees with the Noori of Allah). "Could you
explain the meaning of this Hadith?" Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi heard
his questioned and smiled. He said, "It means that you should break
your zanaar, leave kufr and accept Islam." When he heard Hadrat's
reply, he was astonished, and immediately recited the Kalima Shareef
and accepted Islam. [Tazkirat al-Awliyah, Page 233]
PROTECTION FROM SHAITAAN: Once,there was a mureed of Hadrat
Junaid-e-Baghdadi , who felt that he had perfected himself (become
Kaamil). He thus, began to live in total seclusion. At night,he used
to dream an Angel, which used to present a camel for him. He used to
then sit on the camel, and the Angel would take him on a journey of
Jannat. He used to enter a place that wasvery beautiful. He used to
partakein delicious food and drinks, and he saw the most handsome
people there. After a while, he would return to his home. He reached
such a state, that he began to tell people, "I am amongst those who
visits Jannahdaily." This message reached Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi.
Hadratthen went to visit him, and foundhim sitting with great pomp and
splendour. Hadrat asked him about his claims, and he explained
everything in detail. Hadrat said, "Tonight, when you reach this
place, you must read Laa Howla wa Laa Quwwata il'la Bil'laahil Aliyil
Azeem" That night,when he had the dream and he reached the so-called
Jannat, he read as Hadrat instructed him to. The moment he read this,
all those in his dream began to shriek and flee from him. He thensees
that he is on a horse, and there are skeletons in front of him. On
seeing this, be became afraid, and realised his mistake. All that he
was seeing was just an illusion of Shaitaan. He immediately rushed to
Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi and repented for his behaviour. He also
learnt, that for a mureed to be by himself is like taking poison.
HIS JALAAL: Due to his piety and knowledge, Hadrat Junaid-e- Baghdadi
became very famous in Iraq. There were however those, who were jealous
of his fame. They continuously made accusations against him, and
alsocomplained against him to the Khalifa. The Khalifa said that they
could not do anything to him as long as there was no evidence against
him. The Khalifa then saidthat he had a purchased a very beautiful
slave girl, whose beautyoutshone all the women of the city. He thus
commanded that she be dressed in the most beautiful clothes and
adorned with precious pearls and diamonds. Once she had been dressed,
he called her and said, "Iwant you to go to where Junaid is and remove
your veil from overyour face and tell him that you want to be his, and
that you havebecome weary of the world. All that you want is to live
with him, and for him to help you to gain closeness to Allah." The
Khalifa then appointed a servant to go with her, so that he may be
witness to whatever may transpire. The woman presented herself before
Hadrat and removed her veil, saying what theKhalifa had commanded.
Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi looked up at her once and said something.
Thewoman, could not bear the sight of the Jalaal of Hadrat
Junaid-e-Baghdadi and fell to the groundand passed away. When this
message reached the Khalifa, he was very sad. He said, "Some people
say things about the Masha'ikh which they should not say. The Shaykh
has reached a level that he is able to see that where our sights can
not venture." [Shajrat al-Kaamileen, Page 153/154]
GEMS OF WISDOM: Some of his beautiful and wise sayings are being
presented, so that we may read and make amal upon them.
*. A Sufi is like the earth, that all the dirt is thrown onto him and
yet it blossoms into a green pasture.
*. A Sufi is one, whose heart is like Hadrat Ibrahim , that it is free
from the love of the world and one which is always ready to obey the
commands of Allah, his acceptance should be like that of Hadrat
Ismaeel , his sadness should be like that of Hadrat Dawood , His
patience like that of Hadrat Ayoob , his eagerness should be like that
of Hadrat Moosa and in Dua, hissincerity should be like that of The
Beloved Rasool.
*. Tasawwuf is that which kills you and lives by itself.
*. The most powerful relationship, is that of the servant to his
Creator, when hetries to understand the secrets of Tauheed, and all
roads are sealed to the creation, except the road of the Prophet.
*. Do not follow him, who followsthe Quran and leaves the Prophet.
HIS KHULAFA: Some of his most respected Khulafa are:
Hadrat Abu Bakr Shibli,
Hadrat Mansoor Abraar,
Hadrat Shah Muhammad bin Aswad Dinoori and
Hadrat Shah Ismaeel Al Aziz (Ridwanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een).
WISAAL: When Hadrat became aware of his passing away, he asked for
those present to assist him in wudhu, which they did. They had
forgotten to make khilaal of his beard, so he reminded them of this.
He then went into Sajdah, and began to weep. "O our Peer! You have
sent before you so many good deeds and heaps of obedience. What is the
purpose for this Sajdah?" He said, "Junaid has never been in somuch
need as he is now." He then began to recite the Quran, so one mureed
said, "Hadrat! Are you reciting Quran Shareef ?" Hadrat said, "What
better time is there than now, when my book of deeds will soon be
close. I am seeing my deeds before me, hanging in the air by a thin
thread as it sways from the wind blowing against it. I am not sure if
this wind is one of union, or one of absolution. On one hand, I am
seeing the Angel of death, and on the other hand, I am seeing the Pul
Siraat. There is the Most Supreme Judge, and the path is there. I am
not sure of which path I will pass through." After saying this, he
completed the recitation of the Quran. He then read seventy verses of
SurahBaqarah. Those present asked him to chant the words "Allah,
Allah" He said, "Why are you reminding me. I have not forgotten." He
then began reading the tasbeeh on all his fingers. When he reached the
Shahaadat finger (index finger), he lifted his finger and said,"Bismil
laah hir Rahman nir Raheem" He then closed his eyes, and the soul left
his body, allowing him to travel from this mundane world into the
Glorioushereafter. Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi passed from this world, on
a Friday, the 27th of Rajab, 297 or 298 Hijri.
After his wisaal, he was given Ghusl. Those giving ghusl wished to put
water on his eyes, when they heard an unseen voice saying, "Do not
touch the eyes of my beloved, since those eyes thathave closed in my
remembrance, shall not open before they see me." They then tried to
open his fingers, and the voice said,"Those fingers that have been
closed in my name, shall only open on my command."
[Masaalikas-Saalikeen, Vol. 1, Page 308].
MAZAAR SHAREEF: His Mazaar Shareef is in a place called Shaunizia,
which is in Baghdad Shareef. Once someone asked Hadrat Abu Bakr Shibli
a Masla (religious query) whilst he was atthe Mazaar of Hadrat Junaid-
e-Baghdadi. He said, "I feel ashamed to answer in front of the Mazaar
of Hadrat as I felt ashamed to answer in his presence, for I still
feel that his sight is upon me."
AFTER HIS WISAAL: After his wisaal, a pious person dreamt of him and
asked about the questions of the Angels Munkar and Nakeer. He said,
"The Angels came to me and asked who is myLord, and I smiled and said,
"My Lord is He, Who took the pledge from me on the first day, thus
what need is there for me to answer to the servants, after I have
already answered to the King. They Angels then left me and said, 'He
is still drowned in love and is resting in the same love.'"